Chapter 83: Waiting for an Answer
A drizzle tapped lightly on the plane tree leaves, creating a soft rustling sound. Few pedestrians walked the streets, with only the occasional noble's carriage whooshing by. The drivers, donning tall hats and waving their whips with arrogance, seemed to fancy themselves as nobles.
These poor servants spent their lives mimicking the nobility, yet never quite capturing their essence. Being noble isn't just about holding your head high like a proud peacock; it's also about learning humility and compassion, at least outwardly.
Felix wandered the familiar streets, head bowed, arms outstretched to catch the falling raindrops. Returning to the imperial city after just half a month, he felt as if he were in a different world.
He didn't go back to Saint Erde Cathedral, for he now rejected its intense aura of holiness, just as the cathedral rejected the new him.
He didn't return to Felendia, hating its dark atmosphere. The legacy left to him by the mysterious Gamma Master felt more like a refuge than a home.
He arrived at Marquise Elizabeth's estate, but hesitated at the gate, stopping in his tracks.
The servants at the door, unaware of his turmoil, smiled as they watched Felix, happily informing Lady Elizabeth of his arrival. They were fond of Felix for his handsomeness, kindness, and a very pleasant night they once spent together under Lady Elizabeth's arrangement.
"My little kitty has returned?" Lady Elizabeth's affection was as always. She hurried to the door, arms open to embrace Felix, intending to gaze at him with a motherly, doting look, and ruffle his hair as before.
But this time, Felix stepped back, avoiding her embrace.
The atmosphere froze. Lady Elizabeth forced a smile, pausing and retracting her arms to instead hold Felix's pale fingers, "Is my little kitty unhappy?"
Felix withdrew his hand, his gaze on Lady Elizabeth's slightly altered expression, shaking his head silently. He removed his black cloak, revealing a pale face devoid of any color. Though still handsome and delicate, he lacked vitality, his cold presence overwhelming.
"Lady, we need to talk," Felix said, redonning his cloak. His gaze shifted to Catherine, the knight behind Elizabeth. She remained beautiful but had grown thinner. Her delicate face first registered shock, then her expression dramatically changed, sensing something in Felix.
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Lady Elizabeth's expression grew serious. Even without being a skilled magician, she sensed the change in Felix. He had grown taller, and his pallor reminded her of a vampire, those dark creatures that feed on blood. Gone were the hesitation and affection in his eyes; now, Lady Elizabeth saw only a steadfast resolve, a cold, impenetrable gaze, no longer as transparent as before.
After a moment's hesitation, Lady Elizabeth took Felix's hand again. This time, Felix didn't pull away but allowed her to lead him inside the estate.
“No matter what happens, you will always be my little kitty - now, in the future, forever!” Lady Elizabeth’s gaze softened unusually as she gently squeezed Felix’s cold hand, speaking with unwavering conviction.
Felix cracked a slight smile, his head bowed, lost in thought. Only occasionally, when he looked up at Lady Elizabeth, would a hint of emotion betray his stoic facade. Some things are hard to forget, as they are imprints of life.
Lady Elizabeth hadn’t changed; she was still as domineering as ever.
...
The three sat quietly in the main room, the two women silent, their expressions varied.
Felix lay on a sofa covered with a soft blanket, his face calm. He held a glass of wine, quietly savoring it, narrating the events of the past half-month in a tone so indifferent it was almost emotionless, as if he were talking about a stranger.
A deadly silence ensued.
The knight sister stood up first, placing her hand over Felix’s chest. As if that wasn’t clear enough, she slid her hand under his clothes to rest upon his heart.
Thump, thump, thump...
The slow, heavy heartbeat was different from the rest of Felix’s body. His chest still had a hint of warmth, the beating heart seemingly radiating heat to the skin’s surface.
Lady Elizabeth remained silent, her gaze never leaving Felix’s eyes from the start. Her intuition told her that everything Felix said was true. She felt confused, agitated, and uneasy.
Her hands twisted together, loosening and tightening with Felix’s monotonous narration, a fine sheen of sweat forming in her palms...
“He didn’t turn you into a real death knight,” the knight sister finally spoke. She didn’t remove her hand from Felix’s chest but continued to listen. Her delicate brows furrowed as if troubled or confused.
“Death knights don’t have a heartbeat, so, you’re still alive.” The knight sister’s face showed unprecedented gravity. She dragged her nail, infused with elemental power, across Felix’s palm, slicing his skin easily. Drops of bright red blood oozed out, then trickled down from her fingertips.
For a normal person, such a wound would have gushed blood, but Felix’s only let out a few drops before the bleeding stopped.
The knight sister tasted a drop of Felix's blood, its coolness akin to that of dark creatures that feed on blood. After tasting it, she frowned, “This is living blood, albeit laced with the power of ice. Definitely human blood. That death knight must have used some secret technique on you. Why did he do it? What does he want?”
The knight sister turned to Lady Elizabeth, the decision now in her hands. She had always faithfully fulfilled her duty as a servant knight.
Felix also looked up, his gaze fixed on Lady Elizabeth, who, to his surprise, had a hint of amusement in her eyes.
He had been waiting for an answer for a long time…